Under the specter of labor strife that could lead to a work stoppage, the NHL rather optimistically released the 2012-13 regular-season schedule Thursday.

The Blackhawks are scheduled to open the season Oct. 13 against the Blue Jackets at the United Center and play their first road game Oct. 16 against the Jets in Winnipeg.

The annual "Circus Trip" will send the Hawks away from the United Center from Nov. 14-23 on a six-game journey out West. A six-game trip to accommodate the ice show at the UC will run Jan. 29-Feb. 9 and the Hawks will have another six-game tour March 14-24. It marks the first time they have had more than two trips of five-plus games since the 2006-07 season.

The Hawks will have a seven-game homestand running Feb. 15-March 1. That equals franchise-longs in 1926-27, 1951-52 and 1969-70 for time at home.

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires Sept. 15 and the league and players' association are expected to begin negotiations soon. If the sides don't reach an agreement before the season, the owner's could lock out the players to create the fourth work stoppage in league history, including one that forced the cancellation of the 2004-05 campaign.

If the season gets underway without an altered schedule, here are 10 Hawks games to watch:

Oct. 13 vs. Blue Jackets: The Hawks will open their 85th season at home, signally all went well with labor negotiations and a new CBA is in place.

Oct. 16 at Jets: Captain Jonathan Toews will return to his hometown of Winnipeg as the Hawks kick off their 41-game road slate.

Oct. 30 vs. Coyotes: Facing the team that knocked them out in the first round of a contentious postseason series, the Hawks take on a team that likely will be without forward Raffi Torres, who was suspended 25 games for an illegal hit on veteran Marian Hossa during Game 3. Torres has appealed the suspension and the league is expected to rule on it soon.

Nov. 3 at Maple Leafs: It's always special when Original Six franchises meet and the Hawks and Leafs will face off for the 640th time in history.

Nov. 5 vs. Penguins: Barring an injury, United Center fans will get a rare look at Sidney Crosby, who has faced the Hawks just twice in his career and not since 2006 as he has battled an array of maladies.

Nov. 15 at Canucks: Vancouver fans will have to pick who they will boo more, their usual No. 1 target, Dave Bolland, or Duncan Keith, who injured Daniel Sedin with a flying elbow last March and was suspended five games.

Nov. 27 vs. Kings: The Stanley Cup champions come to town.

Dec. 4 at Canadiens: Another Original Six matchup, this one with the added intrigue of the Hawks facing a team run by former assistant general manager Marc Bergevin, now the head man in Montreal.

Feb. 12 vs. Coyotes: With his suspension long since ended, Torres could appear in front of the UC fans for the first time since injuring Hossa. This could get ugly.

April 13 at Blues: The final game of the regular season will be the second of a back-to-back against rival St. Louis and could go a long way toward determining the Central Division standings.